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“I’d be delighted to second that,” said Bingham

“I confess that I’m embarrassed,” said Emma

“That will be a first,” said Giles, which helped lighten the mood

“Shall I call for a vote, chairman?” asked Webster Emma nodded, and sat back in her chair “Admiral Summers has proposed,” continued the coham has seconded, that Mr Sebastian Clifton be invited to join the board of Barrington’s” He paused for a , “Those in favor?” Every hand rose except Eainst?” No hands were raised The round of applause that followed made Emma feel very proud

“I therefore declare that Mr Sebastian Clifton has been elected as a ton’s”

“Let’s pray there will be a board for Seb to join,” Emma whispered to her brother once the co closed

“I’ve always considered he was up there with Lincoln and Jefferson”

A ed man, dressed in an open-necked shirt and sports jacket, looked up but didn’t close his book The few strands of wispy fair hair that were still in evidence had been carefully co stick was propped against his chair

“I apologize,” said Giles “I didn’t mean to interrupt you”

“No problem,” said the man in an unmistakable southern drawl, but he still didn’t close his book “In fact I’m always embarrassed,” he added, “by how little we know of your country’s history, while you seem to be so well informed about ours”

“That’s because we no longer rule half the world,” said Giles, “and you look as if you are just about to Mind you, I wonder if a man in a wheelchair could be elected as president in the second half of the twentieth century,” he added, glancing down at the man’s book

“I doubt it,” said the Ah “Kennedy beat Nixon because of a TV debate If you’d heard it on the radio, you would have concluded that Nixon won”

“Nobody can see you sweat on the radio”

The American raised an eyebrow “How come you’re so well informed about American politics?”